Asthma is a chronic condition due to airway inflammation. All asthma patients should have a rescue inhaler or nebulizer to use as needed. Most asthma sufferers also take a controller medication daily. In some cases, asthma symptoms are severe or difficult to treat and additional measures may be necessary.
Acute Asthma Flares
Acute asthma flares are episodes of more severe symptoms usually brought on by a specific trigger, such as illness or allergen exposure. Flares may require additional treatments including oral corticosteroids. You may also need oral corticosteroids if you are experiencing severe symptoms while your doctor works to get your condition under control with other medications.
Oral corticosteroids help open up the airways, but may be dangerous if used on a long-term basis. You will want to make sure you follow the treatment plan set forth by your doctor. You should also discuss any side effects you experience with your doctor.
Severe and Difficult to Treat Asthma
Despite taking controller inhalers, some asthma patients suffer with severe or difficult to treat symptoms and have frequent asthma flares requiring oral corticosteroids. For these patients, there is hope with some newer medications that are available. Your allergist will need to do some blood tests to see if these new medications are right for treating your type of asthma.These new medications are called biologics and are administered as injections or infusions. .
If you are suffering with worse than usual asthma symptoms, or if you are using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, it is time to see an allergist to ensure that you are taking the appropriate medications for your condition. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
